Needle
Localization
A needle/wire
localization involves the use of mammography to
ensure the wire is correctly inserted into the suspicious
area.
The skin
of the breast will be anesthetized before the procedure.
The wire is inside the needle that is inserted into
the breast.
The technician
inserting the needle will use a patient's mammogram
to determine how far and at what angle to insert
the needle.
When
it has been properly placed, the wire is disengaged
and the needle is removed. This means that there
is a wire sticking out of the breast.
A second
mammogram is taken to ensure that the needle properly
identifies the area to be removed. The surgeon then
uses the needle as a guide, and removes the area
with a margin of tissue during the surgical biopsy.
